ACROSS THE SEA OF SUFFERING IN A BOAT OF VOWS

On
September 15, 1974, named World Peace Day in commemoration of the awesome
vows fulfilled by Bhiksu Heng Ju and Bhiksu Heng Yo, (See VBS #50,page
seven, "Across the Sea of Suffering..."), Bhiksu Heng Yo made
the following vows in the Jeweled Hall of the Great Heroes, Gold Mountain
Monastery, before the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions, the
Venerable Abbot, and the fourfold assembly.

I vow
not to attain the equal and proper enlightenment if there is still a
living being who has not done so, throughout the past, present, and
future, and to the far reaches of empty space and the dharma realm.

I vow
to accomplish the perfection of patience, as well as the other
perfections, and the 10,000 practices of the Bodhisattva, throughout the
past, present, and future, and to the far reaches of empty space and the
dharma realm.

I vow to leave the home life under a wise
master and cultivate ascetic and bitter practices, throughout the past,
present, and future, and to the far reaches of empty space and the dharma
realm.

I vow to make pilgrimages to holy places,
sincerely seeking for world peace, throughout the past, present, and
future, and to the far reaches of empty space and the dharma realm.

The Ten Dharma-realms are
Not Beyond a Single Thought. A clear description of the realms of being as
Buddhism teaches them--from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to gods, men,
animals, ghosts, and beings of the hells. Verses and commentary by the
Venerable Master Hsuan Hua. With delightful line drawings. Paperbound, 40
pages. $2.00.

The
Amitabha Sutra with commentary
The
Vajra (Diamond) Sutra with commentary
Pure Land and Ch'an Dharma Talks